Boss Roy Keane says his side must learn to start matches more quickly after another disappointing first half at Nottingham Forest on Saturday. The Blues, who have scored only once in the first period in the league this season, were two goals behind at the break, as they had been at Watford on Tuesday.

Town improved in the second half during both games but Keane admits it’s often not hard to play against opposition teams already sitting back on leads: “Sometimes when you’re 2-0 down it’s easy to get on the ball, it’s easy to want to play and easy to be braver. You need to be ready from the first minute.

“It’s been a problem for us all season, there’s no getting away from it. We’re aware of it and opposition teams are aware of it.”

The Town boss wasn’t too displeased with the overall performance at the City Ground but was unhappy with the way the goals were conceded: “The first goal was a disappointing one, getting caught by a straightforward ball inside our full-back. We need to do better and we know that.

“Their second goal was a bit like the second goal at Watford the other night. It came from a throw-in in the Forest half. It was a bit naïve, over-playing it a touch.

“If we were guilty of anything it was over-playing it in dangerous areas. We need to threaten teams a bit more, whether it’s getting in behind them with a bit more pace.

“There was literally a minute to go to half-time and we’d have taken that because we get stronger in the second half, but we gave the goal away. People will look at it as a good goal from the boy and I wouldn’t begrudge him his bit of glory but we should have seen out the first half, the same as on Tuesday. Déjà vu.”

Keane dismissed suggestions that his players are lacking self-belief: “I don’t think that’s a problem. I think we have a good dressing room and we need to respond on Tuesday.

“It’s not as if the next game is going to be any easier than today. It’s going to be tough. There’s a place in the quarter-final of the League Cup at stake. Northampton is a big, big game for us so we need to react and respond, and I’m sure we will.”

After three successive losses the Town manager is determined not to let defeat become any more of a habit: “When you’re winning games you think you’re never going to lose and when you’re losing you can’t see another victory. What we have to do now is focus on Tuesday night.

“We’ve got Jack and Jake cup-tied, so other lads will get an opportunity. I thought young Murray did well when he came on for us, Connor did OK for us too and Livermore did well.

“We’re asking young players to do men’s jobs. We saw that at Forest, and it’s not me writing things off, but they’re physically bigger than us and they’re more experienced than us. We were up against a team who weren’t far from getting in the Premier League last year.

“We know where we’re at and I learned a lot about the team at Forest and there’s a lot of hard work ahead.”

Keane confirmed that Jason Scotland had been rested in the second half: “The plan was always for Jason to have 45 minutes. Jason’s played two full games and as we know Jason’s getting up to fitness. Connor Wickham was ready and I thought he did quite well for us. It’s about using your squad of players.”

Manchester City, Spurs and Everton were amongst the Premier League clubs to send representatives to send scouts to watch Wickham in action this week.

Photo: Action Images

Acen added 09:09 - Oct 25 No Sh!t Sherlock!
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FrimleyBlue added 09:14 - Oct 25 Keane heres a tip for Saturday Start Fulop Peters, McAuley,Delaney,O'Connor Edwards,Livermore,Colback,Townsend Priskin Wickham Then you'll get the start you want!
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MaySixth added 09:21 - Oct 25 Must win game against Northampton. No excuses.
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Jarvo3003 added 09:23 - Oct 25 Why drop Norris? Why not pick wickham? Why include priskin? Murray is performing better than him now.. Tuesday Murphy Peters Macauley delaney oconner Edwards hyam Norris Townsend Wickham Scotland Sat Peters Macauley delaney oconner Edwards Norris coldback Townsend Wickham Scotland And get the 2 widemen on set pieces
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FrimleyBlue added 09:25 - Oct 25 Because we're at home and you want to creative midfielders in the team. Wickham is YOUNG and Yes i would bring him on at half time, but you cant burn the guy out! thats why.
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mikeybloo88 added 09:32 - Oct 25 Surely it's the managers job to get the team up for the game and send them out raring to go. Pick a positive team and send them out in a positive mood, Keano, and maybe we will get a good start
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brittaniaman added 09:35 - Oct 25 IT is now time Keano as their mentor to get it right, round pegs in round holes please and 2 up front, and be a Mr Motivator like we know you are, you must get it right this week !!!!!!! I still say you need an experianced assistant just to guide you through these tough times (if you would let them that is ) as we all know the only way is up because now where we sit is where we finished last season. I will be there tomorrow night sitting behind you keeping an eye on the situation bye for now !!!!!! COYB !!!!

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E3Blue added 09:37 - Oct 25 Maybe the reason we are starting slowly is because the team selection is consistantly wrong? I think that Scotland will do a job for us, but he won't do anything when he is isolated up front each and every game. The one game that we did go with 2 up front, we decided to go woth 4 centre midfielders, therefore they got absolutely no service whatsoever. I think that without a proper assistant manager who has the bo***ks to advise Keane on where we are going wrong, we really could struggle from hear on in. I for one, would also be gutted if Keane was still in charge when the inevitable sale of Wickham goes through as he does know how to waste a good bit of money. Apologies for the negative post, but I really can't see how Keane is going to get us anywhere?

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collis_itfc added 09:37 - Oct 25 If you want to do well in this league you do need to start from the first whistle and not have to be 1 or 2 goals down or a bollocking at half time to then start playing. We have a really good team to do well in this league but it has to be 4-4-2
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yorksblue added 09:55 - Oct 25 Not "learn to start earlier," more like learn to start, full stop!
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nobrain added 09:57 - Oct 25 Agree with collis_itfc - lone striker is a waste of time in this league - most of the defenses can easily cope with it as a strategy, especially when the loan striker is not very big and not very quick. I'm not knocking Scotland - but he needs a provider up there with him.
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martleshamitfc added 10:06 - Oct 25 "Keane confirmed that Jason Scotland had been rested in the second half: “The plan was always for Jason to have 45 minutes. Jason's played two full games and as we know Jason's getting up to fitness." How long does it take a professional player to get fit? stop using the excuse that players are not ready, they are tired, not match fit - then get them bloody fit then! what do they do all week?

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nitroblue1970 added 10:11 - Oct 25 Now look ...lets face facts we are an average team in a mediocre league, we have no god given right to be succcessful! It takes hard work, commitment and a hell of a lot of luck (or money)...i believe the hard work and committment is there, we need a little luck...i think this can be summed up quite nicely by counting the number of penalties we have been awarded in the last 2 years!....Get behind the manager, the team and the youngsters! COYB!

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BlooooCD added 10:17 - Oct 25 If Wickham is worth £8 - 10million!!! why the fcuk don't we play him and stick him alongside scotland... They would make a great partnership, Its like having a ferrari in the garage (saving it to sell maybe) and keep taking the escort out!!! I cannot believe I am going to tomorrows game actually thinking we might lose... Dear oh Dear! COYB's!
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Surco72 added 10:40 - Oct 25 Roy it is your job to get the players motivated and up for the game so whatever you are doing is not working as last week i watched three of the most dire first half displays from an Ipswich side for many seasons without a shot on target in most . I think he needs to get some help from an assistant manager and quick Team for both games Fulop Eastman,Mac ,Smith,OConnor Edwards,Norris,Livermore,Townsend Scotland ,Wickham If we try attacking from the start of games perhaps we wont be 2 goals down by the time we start to play .And cannot see why Smith has been moved from playing alongside Mac when it has been fine all season ? And before anyone says i am a massive Jim fan ,i wasnt and thought it was time to leave ,but here is the team he left us with , Wright Peters,Mac,Campo,Wright Walters,Norris,Garvan,Dos Santos Stead,Counago Subs.Bruce ,Thatcher,Richards,Shumi,Miller,Haynes,Lisbie Have we really improved that much with another £12 million spent ?

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blue_em_away added 10:43 - Oct 25 I'm sorry Mr Keane I have always backed you but..... How ever the players react at the start of a game, at the start of 2nd half, going a goal behind, going a goal up, etc etc, is down to YOU!
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brittaniaman added 10:53 - Oct 25 Just a thought on my earlier comment on a assistant for Keano, could they get Curbishley in as a temp for him, all though I could not see Keano accepting that as a solution could you ???????
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Lightningboy added 10:57 - Oct 25 Keane : You Must Learn To Be A Better Manager More Quickly.
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slowerball added 10:59 - Oct 25 The ball inside the full back for the first goal - correction - the ball was inside Jaime Peters, not a full back. RB is a huge problem for us, still. As well as scoring goals, giving away silly goals and the manager over rating certain midfield players - I thought that Leadbitter was by far the worst player on the pitch on Saturday; his trip and rightly shown yellow card was both stupid & churlish. His dead balls were poor and shooting powder puff at best. Norris ran about. End of, no quality or end product, he's a runner and a trier at best. Never thought I'd say this - missing out on Shaun Derry was a massive blow. I know that many will disagree, but he is now the captain of a side that will will the league. He has the nouse & experience we need at this level. Still two or three players short in my view.

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ChambersM added 11:01 - Oct 25 No we havnt surco :(
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SammyT added 11:08 - Oct 25 1) We miss O Dea 2) No more Smith at Left back 3) Get a settled team/formation ASAP 4) Take Leadbitter off set pieces, maybe "rest" him for a bit 5) No more aerial balls up to Scotland, in at his feet dammit 6) Attack more, take a gamble 7) Pleaaaase football gods give us some luck, Sordells header = Quality, Mcgugans Free kick = Amazing. Typically against us.. Where have our wonder goals/penalties/goals from corners gone..? 8) COYB!! Keep the faith

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Thetruth added 11:08 - Oct 25 Why would Curbishley come to Ipswich?? Too many people on here are obviously hitting the heights on football manager and then think they know how we should play, what the formation should be etc etc....its all a little boring If it wasnt Roy Keane it would be the new manager who's head you were calling for the chop. The atmosphere created by the forest fans was immense, I have not heard that kind of atmosphere at Portman Road for months now, as supporters we should do our bit and scream the roof down no matter how dire we are playing, nobody fears Ipswich anymore, as supporters we are poor, really poor. Maybe Keane should go then you could all get your axes sharpened for the new gaffer.........I pity him

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fourth added 11:17 - Oct 25 I wonder how good our fact-finding is on opposition teams. We should, I feel, have a good idea about how to attack weaknesses from the very start of the game rather than playing on a wing and a prayer and wasting 30 minutes tentatively finding out.
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haynes_is_a_ledgend added 11:32 - Oct 25 Hahhaha He was watching our match yesterday my manager told us that before the game lol :)
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1878 added 11:58 - Oct 25 When a manager, has to bring on three of his sub at the beginning of the second half a game replacing three different areas... then to me he has messed up! Your subs are there so that you add something different to the game, more attack or defend. But I have seen so many games this season where the wheels have fallen off and then the manager wakes-up and realizes he has messed-up big time. The subs are there to give an extra push not to fix a mess-up. I'm still convinced that MR. K decides who's gonna play for him by using Football Manager Manager. For goodness sake Mr K. Play your strongest players and keep them on the pitch and keep those players playing game in game out!!!

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